Homophobia, Sport and the Group Socialisation of Australian Males

The qualities that are admired in men – autonomy, strength, reliability, fearlessness – are not essential qualities of masculinity but rather attributes that males are taught in a variety of contexts. Boys exhibit a range of behaviours but some are more valued than others. This paper examines the role that sport has in creating a specific style of team-oriented, physical masculinity. Of particular interest is how team sport developed into its current form in conjunction with ideas of masculinity which were seen as desirable for military service. These attributes of masculinity have spread in their influence beyond the sports field and the military unit, coming to represent the embodiment of hegemonic masculinity in the modern West. Against this idealised form of masculinity, other masculinities are compared. Sexuality is a key means of creating a sense of self, and as heterosexuality is privileged in the West, homosexuality is considered to be 'failed' masculinity. Thus, homophobia is frequently used to coerce boys and men into the desired forms of behaviour. As sport in the West embodies successful masculinity and team sport is the most valued form of sport, boys and men are socialised into this competitive, team-oriented form of behaviour – or risk the most feared insult to masculinity in Australia – 'poofter'. This paper aims to draw linkages with how men are coerced into those practises through fear of attracting this emasculating label.